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Program Summary

Credits Required

12

Tuition per Credit

$1,055

Financial Aid Resources

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The Logistics of a Global Marketplace

Organizations in virtually every industry rely on supply chain managers to oversee some of the most essential processes to keep their businesses moving in a global marketplace. Synchronizing the flow of products, information, and funds is becoming increasingly complex with products that move across continents daily and deadlines that directly affect a company’s profitability.

Supply chain management and logistics professionals are increasingly part of their organization’s strategic management teams. As a result, they often can benefit from additional education and credentials to assist them in their current position or to advance their careers.

Penn State’s online Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management can give you the ability to develop supply chain solutions for your organization as you gain an understanding of how companies use supply chain networks to acquire, produce, and deliver goods and services domestically and worldwide.

Why Supply Chain Management at Penn State

As a student in Penn State’s online Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management, you can learn from the same faculty who teach in Penn State’s Smeal College of Business, ranked #1 in supply chain education and AACSB accredited. You will study:

• supply chain strategy and network design

• purchasing and negotiations

• inventory cost analysis, planning, and control

• performance measurement

• information technology and decision support

• transportation systems operation and third-party logistics services providers

A comprehensive industry report released by Gartner, Inc. ranks Penn State’s supply chain program as the #1 graduate supply chain program in the United States based on industry value, program depth, and scope. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report ranks the Penn State Smeal College of Business supply chain/logistics graduate program as the third best in the nation. Penn State’s Smeal College of Business is AACSB accredited and employers consistently recognize the very high quality of this program.

Continue Your Education in Supply Chain Management

In addition to being an excellent stand-alone credential, all of the courses in the Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management can be applied toward the Master of Professional Studies in Supply Chain Management degree program (also offered through Penn State’s World campus), if you are accepted into that program.

Who Should Apply?

The Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management is designed for working logistics professionals who want to gain the knowledge and skills needed to maximize the efficiency of their respective organization's supply chain. Although many individuals in the program have supply chain experience, the program is also appropriate if your education and/or experience may be in disciplines such as the sciences, engineering, or the liberal arts.

Career Opportunities for Graduates

Your Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management can equip you for a variety of careers in the supply chain industry or in supply chain management positions in virtually any industry. You can prepare for positions such as:

• supply chain program manager

• logistics manager

• purchasing manager

• industrial production manager

• retail solutions manager

• product supply lead

• import operations specialist

• export specialist

Information for Military and Veterans

Are you a member of the military, a veteran, or a military spouse? Please visit our military website for additional information regarding financial aid, transfer credits, or application instructions.

Online Education at Penn State

Penn State has a history of 100+ years of distance education and more than a decade of experience in online learning. We create an online learning environment that offers you the same quality education our residential students experience in a face-to-face setting. Learn more about Penn State World Campus.

 

 

 

 

 

Set Yourself Apart

The Penn State Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management curriculum consists of six courses designed to build your competence across the foundations of supply chain management. Courses are offered in a convenient, online format that gives you flexibility of learning from your home or office on your own time, while connecting with supply chain peers around the world.

Your Life, Your Schedule

You'll have the ability to study when and where it is convenient for you since the courses are delivered entirely online. You'll communicate with classmates and instructors using a variety of communication tools and applications, including bulletin boards, email, listservs, chat, and web conferencing.

Applied Knowledge

In addition to providing a flexible schedule, online delivery allows you to apply the knowledge you gain to your current job on a daily basis. This online program allows you to improve your learning experience and your company's bottom line each day as you put theory into practice.

Getting started is easy. Learn next steps for applying to the program.

Course List - Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management

Required Courses (12 credits)

TitleAbbreviationDescriptionCredits

Supply Chain ManagementSCM 800Introduction to the strategic framework, issues, and methods for integrating supply and demand management within and across companies.4 credits

Supply Chain Performance Metrics & Financial AnalysisSCM 801Performance metrics used in supply chain management, both within the enterprise and across the extended enterprise.1 credit

Demand FulfillmentSCM 812This course covers the forecasting and inventory management activities involved in the fulfillment of demand for finished goods.2 credits

Supply ManagementSCM 822An overview of the strategic role that supply management has in effective supply, demand, and value chain operations.2 credits

Manufacturing & Service Operations PlanningSCM 842Planning strategies for managing manufacturing and service operations within supply chains.2 credits

Business EthicsBA 803A study of ethical conduct in organizations and how cultural differences and personal conduct impact business decisions.1 credit

How long will the program take?
This graduate certifcate program can be completed in one year.

 

 

 

 

Applying

Begin the graduate school application

Deadlines and Important Dates

While applications are accepted year-round for the certificate program in supply chain management, students begin course work once per year in the fall semester. The deadline to apply for admission in fall 2018 is June 15, 2018.

Admissions Help

If you have questions about the admissions process, contact our admissions counselors.

Prerequisites

For admission to the Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.

The certificate program curriculum is designed for working supply chain management professionals. Accordingly, successful applicants will have, before the start of their first semester, at least two years' post baccalaureate work experience in supply chain management or a closely allied field. Additionally, prospective students should have Microsoft Office Excel skills, knowledge of business statistics, and an understanding of basic accounting and microeconomic terms and principles.

Students who require additional training are encouraged to enroll in preparatory courses prior to entrance into the program. For more information on prerequisites, please email Tami Barnes Confer at tbarnes@psu.edu or call 814-865-0073.

What You Need

Applications are submitted electronically and include a nonrefundable application fee. You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:

Official transcripts from each institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Penn State alumni do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State, but must list Penn State as part of your academic history. If you are admitted, you will be asked to send an additional official transcript. You will receive instructions at that time.

GPA and Test Scores — postsecondary (undergraduate), junior/senior (last two years) GPA is required.

GMAT/GRE test scores are not required.

English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.

Program-Specific Questions/Materials

Résumé — Upload your résumé (one to two pages) to the online application. You may also submit your résumé by email to Tami Barnes Confer at tbarnes@psu.edu with the following subject line: Resume for the Certificate Program – your last name, your first name

Start Your Application

You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.

Begin the graduate school application

• Choose Enrollment Type: "Degree Admission" or "Certificate Admission" 'Degree' or 'Certificate' varies based on program

• Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus

• Choose "Supply Chain Management" as the certificate

Checking Your Status

You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form.

Technical Requirements

Review the technical requirements for this program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You will take one required course and choose three elective courses to obtain the 12-credit certificate in project management. Courses are based on real-world business needs and are taught by industry-respected faculty. Because you can continue working in your current position while you study, the knowledge you attain can be immediately applied to your career and situations you face in your workplace. You can acquire expertise in:

• planning

• cost and value management

• project control

• workforce issues

• strategic issues

To view sample course syllabi and sample course lessons, view the Course Schedule page and click the schedule number for each course.

Course List - Graduate Certificate in Project Management

Required Course (3 credits)

TitleAbbreviationDescriptionCredits

Project ManagementMANGT 510A problem-based, interdisciplinary course in project management skills and techniques needed to manage projects in a modern business environment.

Prerequisite: graduate standing3 credits

Elective Courses (9 credits—choose 3 courses)

TitleAbbreviationDescriptionCredits

Cost and Value ManagementMANGT 515A problem-based course that emphasizes project cost control and teaches students to apply techniques to control projects in business.

Prerequisite or concurrent: MANGT 5103 credits

Planning and Resource ManagementMANGT 520A problem-based course that addresses techniques for planning the project development process, including securing resources and resource management.

Prerequisite or concurrent: MANGT 5103 credits

Commercial Law and Project ProcurementMANGT 525A problem-based course that addresses elements of commercial law and procurement practices and their implications for project management.

Prerequisite or concurrent: MANGT 5103 credits

OrganizationsMANGT 531An examination of organizational theories and processes of organizational behavior.3 credits

Interpersonal and Group BehaviorMANGT 535A human relations-based course that identifies the significant challenges that managing individuals on project teams represents.

Prerequisite or concurrent: MANGT 5103 credits

Strategy: Corporate, Business, and ProjectMANGT 540A problem-based course that focuses on linking projects to overall corporate strategy.

Prerequisite or concurrent: MANGT 5103 credits

Prerequisites as listed may be waived by the course instructor if you can demonstrate the required level of competency.